A daily prayer blog by Bob Hostetler, the author of The Red Letter Prayer Life and the 31 Ways to Pray for Your Kids iPhone and iPad app. Just one prayer each day. Seldom more. Seldom very long. Sometimes personal. Sometimes original. Always sincere.

O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you this day, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man, in Jesus' name, amen (based on Nehemiah 1:5-6, 11).

I clap my hands, God of all nations;I shout to you, Lord, with joyful phrases.

You are awesome, LORD Most High,you are the great King over all the earth!

In Christ, whole nations are under my feet;seated with him, I am more than conqueror.

You chose a great inheritance for me,greater even than Jacob, whom you loved, knew in his day.

Ascend with shouts of joy, Lord God;let your kingdom come in like the noisiest royal procession.

I sing praises to you, God, I sing praises;I sing praises to my King, and will sing even more praises.

For you, O God, are the King of everything there is;I sing to you my psalm of praise.

You reign over Hamilton and Oxford;you look down on Ohio from your holy throne.

There is no nobility or significanceapart from you, Lord God,apart from my position in the people of the God of Abraham,for even kings and presidents and prime ministers belong to you;you are exalted high above the highest of the high.

Dear God,Help meTo live content with small means,to seek elegance rather than luxury,and refinement rather than fashion,to be worthy, not respectable,and wealthy, not rich,to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly,to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart,to bear all cheerfully,do all bravely,await occasions,hurry never--in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,grow up through the common.This is to be my symphony.Amen.

God, you are my refuge and strength;you are always present to help when I am in trouble.So why do I so often fear, as though the earth might give wayand the mountains might crumble into the heart of the sea?Why do I react to troubles as though the sea is going to roar and foamand the earth might run away and cower in fear?

At such times, remind me of the spring that waters the city of God,the holy place where you, Most High, have repeatedly shown yourself.Remind me that just as you are within those walls,so you will surround me and not let me fall;You will come to help as surely as the sun rises in the morning.

When people around me get all "up in arms,"When the wheels seem to be coming off the car,remind me: you need only to lift your voice, and the whole earth would melt.LORD Almighty, you are with us;God of Jacob, you are our fortress.

Let others see the works of the LORD,let them notice the things you are doing on the earth.Break down barriers and heal divisions, Lord;defeat those who are weapons in the Enemy's arsenal.

Stop us in our tracks, and remind us of your sovereign power and love;Be exalted among those who don't know you;Be exalted in us and all around us.

LORD Almighty, you are with us;God of Jacob, you are our fortress. Amen.

God of Hope,I don't know why I so often let circumstances and words and attitudes of others get me down. I let my enemy rob me of hope and optimism. But you, O Lord God, are a God of hope. In you I put my trust. Let me not be put to shame, in Jesus' name, amen.